Homemade Bluebowl

[improvmechanic]

So I used an angel food cake pan to build a homemade blue bowl. I have a small 12v bilge pump running it and I believe I'm not getting enough flow. I've got it set up with a 500gph pump at the moment. Does does anyone have a recommendation for correct pump size? I want to keep using 12v recirc. If possible.

 

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[B H Prospector]

Your 500 should be big enough. That is the size I use on my blue bowl. Have you run any material through it? That is the true test. Just remember you can't run anything larger than -30 in it.

Good Luck!

BH Prospector

 

[improvmechanic]

A quick update:

Being a mechanic I should have though of this, my battery was dead. At 500gph I actually had to turn the flow down. That'll make you feel sheepish.

Thanks for the info, I was only classified to 1/8", so significantly too large. I'm not very well set up on the classifying side, 1/8" is my smallest screen. If I was to run my cons through a window screen do you think that would be small enough? My first scoop revealed a lot of very fine gravel and some bright metallic silver things just big enough to see with the eye. I'm guessing flour lead as I found lead shot in the mats.

 

[fowledup]

Mine has a 750pm. I have never needed to run it full throttle. Why do you suspect your pump is not big enough? Disregard slow Tyler at work.

I run mine on the charger itself without a battery.

 

[improvmechanic]

Not a bad idea, but ineffective for me I'm afraid. My charger only goes down to 5amps for a trickle charge. The fuse on my pump is only 2amps. Gotta have the battery to soak up the extra juice.

 

[fowledup]

Gotcha, it looks good, I think you'll be happy with the results

 

[improvmechanic]

I am having issues getting it to sit level because its an aluminum dish and the hose is weighing the one side down. I'm thinking using tape weights (like for balancing tires) to add a counterweight on the underside.

 

[fowledup]

Try putting the 90 degree fitting as close to the bowl as you can and point it down, should take the weight off it

 

[Marmentman]

You also might try building a frame and adding some bolts and wing nuts for adjustment. I use a bluebowl concentrator and built a frame to level it out. Works great! Also try adding a small clean up sluice under the exit hole to catch anything you miss. I will try to send pictures of my set up. Also have to agree with others about classification. Gold will be heavier than anything the same size you classify. Run each mesh separate and you'll catch almost everything. Good luck!

 

[improvmechanic]

I think the frame is my best bet as I have parts laying around for it. Little short of fittings and the Home Depot closed already. I am catching a lot of this lead dust though. So at least I know it works

 

[B H Prospector]

A window screen is about a -20 screen. Still too big. -30 and smaller. The blue bowl is a micro gold recovery system.

 

[Colorider]

If you search Amazon, you can find laptop or printer power supply units for $10 or so. They are available in various amps. Just cut the plug off and solder it to your pump. Just search your needed amp power.
Example.

Amazon.com : 12v 6a Adapter Power Supply for LCD Monitor with Power Cord : Laptop Computer Chargers Adapters : Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: Replacement LCD Monitor Ac Adapter 12v 5a Power Supply with Cord: Electronics

 

[improvmechanic]

Thanks BH, I may have to build me a spiral wheel as well. While I'm at it, maybe an auto classifier of some kind.

 

[AzViper]

improv,

Check out my link as it may give you some ideas on building a frame to level your bowl... Blue Bowl Gold Recovery System

 

[B H Prospector]

Check it out improv, viper has a fantastic set up.

 

[Golden-1]

wow i just picked up the same kind of bowl to make my own blue bowl way before i saw this guess i am not the only one that thought of it good job looks great

 

[JohnTrayMD]

I had read in another forum that someone who built a bowl from an angel food bowl had issues with the center cone not being as steep of angle nor does it have the reverse cone st the top like the blue bowl has. Through all his time an effort the bowl never performed as good as his friends blue bowl. In my thread on my Blue Bowl system someone had posted who's father is the person who designed the blue bowl. In fact the entire spec's and drawings of sizes were online somewhere.

 

[QNCrazy]

I had read in another forum that someone who built a bowl from an angel food bowl had issues with the center cone not being as steep of angle nor does it have the reverse cone st the top like the blue bowl has. Through all his time an effort the bowl never performed as good as his friends blue bowl. In my thread on my Blue Bowl system someone had posted who's father is the person who designed the blue bowl. In fact the entire spec's and drawings of sizes were online somewhere.

I used an angel food cake pan for my blue bowl. I'm not totally dissatisfied with it but it's not as efficient as the real thing. I find with mine, the heavier black sand gets trapped around the cone and I have to run my cons through three or more times to get all the gold.

 

[JohnTrayMD]

AzViper that's a really cool system. Do you ever find gold in the green gold pan?

 

[improvmechanic]

Nice set up AZ! And I'm not overly concerned with it working perfectly, I just want it to make my job panning easier haha. I'm probably going to use some bolts and PVC and make a three point system myself. I used expanded steel and tried to weight it a couple days ago, but it wasn't as effective as I'd hoped.